CHILDREN below the age of 12 can watch Spider-Man at cinemas in South Somerset - providing they are accompanied by an adult.

The film had originally been given a "12" certificate by The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), but management at Cineworld Multiplex Cinema in Yeovil approached South Somerset District Council requesting a change to "PG".

The district council has the authority to make such a change by virtue of being the licensing authority for cinemas and film exhibition. A meeting of the council's Regulation Committee took place at the cinema this week, with members watching the film before discussing the matter.

The Cineworld representative explained that many customers have approached the company about the Spider-Man age restriction. The same goes for other parts of the UK as a number of local authorities have already intervened and changed the certificate to "PG", although Taunton Deane District Council recently decided the "12" certificate should stay there.

It was also reported by the Cineworld representative that the local authority serving Solihull had issued a "PG12" certificate - a compromise allowing children under the age of 12 to watch the film if accompanied by an adult.

The BBFC imposed the "12" certificate because Spider-Man "presents violence as a solution to problems". A BBFC letter actually informed that the film had been close to a "15" certificate.

Councillors were somewhat confused at one stage because a BBFC document said that any "PG" film must not contain fighting or other dangerous techniques, while another BBFC document said that moderate violence was OK for such films.

That problem aside, Councillor Tony Fife said children would watch the film on video in a couple of months anyway, and he felt it was better if they watch it in a "cinema experience" rather than on their own at home.

Councillor Liz Glaisher, on the other hand, said the film featured "extreme violence" and she would not support a changed certificate.

A vote was eventually taken, finishing 5-3 in favour of the film getting a "PG 12" certificate.

The council's principal administrator said he would carry out some final checks before the decision becomes effective.